Accusations about emissions of black cabs unfounded say LTI

The manufacturers of the iconic London Taxi have put the record straight after accusations about the vehicle’s emissions output by the Retail Motor Industry Federation’s (RMIF).

The RMIF launched an attack on buses and taxis used in London’s transport system following the announcement of the Mayor’s Congestion Charging Zone consultation.

The consultation contains proposals to increase the congestion charge on vehicles with large CO2 outputs, such as 4x4s and executive saloons, with a daily £25 charge inside the congestion zone.

Alec Murray, non-executive chairman of the RMIF, claims that the proposed measures ignore the environmental impact of buses and taxis, which are currently exempt from the congestion charge, and said that cabs are more environmentally harmful than a comparable saloon car.

But LTI Vehicles, who have manufactured the London Black Cab for more than 60 years, say his comments fail to take into account the Mayor’s existing policies to reduce emissions from London’s 21,000 strong taxi fleet.

Taxis are currently going through a Taxi Emissions Programme which will reduce emissions from the fleet by up to 37 percent by July 2008.

The strategy, set up by the Mayor of London, will bring all of the London taxi fleet up to Euro 3 emissions standards and significantly reduce pollution in the capital.

LTI Vehicles also makes clear the fact that the latest London taxi, the TX4, has manual emissions under the ‘Chelsea Tractor’ limit of 225g of CO2 per kilometre.

London’s taxi fleet accounts for only 0.4% of CO2 emissions in the Capital, while the transport sector accounts for 22 percent of all London CO2 emissions. The average London taxi journey has 2.5 people in the vehicle giving an average per person emissions of 84g CO2 per km.

LTI Vehicles also asserts that Mr Murray’s comparison of saloon cars with purpose-built taxis is misguided.

London taxis must meet strict licensing conditions, which include equipping each vehicle with full disability access and facilities for wheelchair passengers and vehicles are designed to carry five or six passengers and also offer a high level of protection in a road traffic accident, which adds significant weight to the vehicle. In comparison saloon cars do not have such licensing condition so it is not possible to compare the two vehicles.

Managing Director of LTI Vehicles, Peter Shillcock added: “The Mayor’s Taxi Emissions Strategy will significantly reduce harmful emissions from older taxis in London, which will ensure the whole fleet has much lower emissions by July next year.

“LTI has cut emissions from our taxis by 55% since 1994 and the current emissions are 50% lower than the latest legal requirements.

“We have strong sales in London so the fleet is being quickly renewed with the latest most environmentally efficient model and this also contributes to the overall reduction of emissions from the London taxi fleet.”